The Panasonic VX981 4K Ultra HD camcorder brings simplicity to the 4K recording experience. It adds in-camera editing solutions that can enable anyone to capture and produce content without complex software. An innovative HDR mode reclaims highlights and shadows often lost by most compact camcorders. For those without a 4K display option, the VX981 offers in-camera downsampling to 1080p displays. Plus the ability to create multi-camera scene picture-in-picture recordings simply by adding a WiFi link to a mobile device camera.
4K Post Editing
Smooth zooming: Easily zoom-in on subjects without changing camera angle.
Easy tracking: Automatically keep the subject inside the cropped area.
Exact panning: Pan any scene by selecting the start and end points.
Convenient stabilizer: Auto adjust compensates for image shaking. Enjoy 4x the resolution of Full-HD 1080p by recording in 4K. Even pause and extract exact moments from 4K video frames for still images with 4K PHOTO mode.
Level Footage at All Times: The Level Shot function automatically detects and corrects for camera tilting.
Clear, Blurless Results: HYBRID O.I.S.+ and 5-axis correction thoroughly suppress blurring caused by unwanted handheld shaking.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) Movie
By combining two images taken with different exposures, blown highlights and blocked shadows are eliminated. A dedicated HDR button enables quick mode changes.
High-Quality Core Technologies
The remarkable LEICA Dicomar lens produces the subtle nuances and shading LEICA lenses are renowned for. An advanced BSI Sensor supported by a 4K Crystal Engine suppresses distortion to consistently give an accurate rendering of the scene.
Wireless Multi Camera
Built in Wi-Fi links up to three smartphones simultaneously to record picture-in-picture from multiple angles.
Product Highlights
Ultra-sharp 4K Ultra HD recording, plus in-camera editing for 1080p displays.
LEICA Dicomar Lens optical 20x zoom, 5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization.
4K in-camera post cropping, panning, zooming and subject tracking stabilization features eliminate the need for complex editing software.
WiFi connected mobile device Twin Camera feature adds multi-camera scene picture in picture recording.
4K PHOTO captures high-quality photos from 4K video frames.
Exclusive High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode reduces the overly high-contrast look created by overexposed and underexposed shooting conditions.
General Specs
Depth (in.) | 5.47 |
Width (in.) | 2.56 |
Height (in.) | 2.87 |
Digital Zoom | 60x / 1500x |
Sensor For Main Camera
Image Sensor | 1/2.3-inch BSI MOS Sensor |
Total Pixels | 18.91 megapixels |
Effective Pixels
Motion Image | 4K: 8.29 megapixels [16:9], Full-HD: 6.10 megapixels [16:9] (Level Shot Function OFF or Normal) |
Still Image | 7.00 megapixels [3:2]; 8.29 megapixels [16:9]; 6.22 megapixels [4:3] |
Lens For Main Camera
F Value | F1.8 (WIDE) / F3.6 (TELE) |
Optical Zoom | 20x |
Focal Length | 4.08 – 81.6 mm |
35 mm Film Camera Equivalent
Motion Image (16:9) | 4K: 30.8 – 626 mm (Level Shot Function OFF), Full-HD: 37.0 – 752 mm (Level Shot Function OFF or Normal) |
Still Image | 34.5 – 690.3 mm [3:2]; 30.8 – 626 mm [16:9]; 37.6 – 752.8 mm [4:3] |
Filter Diameter | 49 mm |
Lens Brand | Leica Dicomar Lens |
Camera Section
Standard Illumination | 1400 lx |
Minimum Illumination | 2 lx (Scene Mode Low Light 1/30), 1 lx (Night Mode (Color)), 0 lx (Night Mode (IR)) |
Focus | Auto / Manual |
Zoom
Intelligent Zoom OFF | 20x |
Intelligent Zoom ON | 4K: 25x, Full-HD: 40x |
Digital Zoom | 60x / 1500x (The maximum value of zoom magnification can be set in two patterns) |
White Balance | Auto / White Set / Sunny / Cloudy / Indoor1 / Indoor2 |
Shutter Speed
Still Image | 1/2 – 1/2000 |
Iris | Auto / Manual |
Image Stabilizer | HYBRID O.I.S.+ with Active Mode, O.I.S. Lock, Level Shot Function (Strong mode: 2K only) |
HDR Movie (Except 4K Mode) | Yes |
Creative Control (Except 4K Mode) | Miniature Effect, Silent Movie, 8mm Movie, Time Lapse Rec |
Motion Image
Auto Slow Shutter ON | 1/30 – 1/8000 (60p / 60i / 30p), 1/24 – 1/8000 (24p) |
Auto Slow Shutter OFF | 1/60 – 1/8000 (60p / 60i / 30p), 1/48 – 1/8000 (24p) |
Recording Section
Recording Media | SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card |
Recording Format | [AVCHD] AVCHD Progressive; [iFrame / MP4] MP4 |
Compression Method | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 |
Recording/ Playback Mode
AVCHD | 1080/60p (28Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60p); PH (24Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i); HA (17Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i); HG (13Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i); HE (5Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080/60i) |
MP4 | 2160p/30p(72M) (72Mbps / VBR), (3840 x 2160); 2160p/24p(72M) (72Mbps / VBR), (3840 x 2160); 1080p/60p(50M) (50Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080); 1080p/60p(28M) (28Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080); 1080p/24p(50M) (50Mbps / VBR), (1920 x 1080); 720p/30p(9M) (9Mbps / VBR), (1280 x 720) |
iFrame | 960 x 540/30p (28Mbps / VBR) |
Actual Recordable Time with Supplied Battery | Approx. 45 min (4K MP4); Approx. 50 min (60p mode); Approx. 50 min (PH mode); Approx. 50 min (HA mode); Approx. 50 min (HG mode); Approx. 50 min (HE mode); Approx. 50 min (2160p/24p); Approx. 1 h 0 min (1080p/24p); Approx. 50 min (MP4 50M); Approx. 50 min (MP4 28M); Approx. 55 min (MP4 720p); Approx. 55 min (iFrame) |
Thumbnail Display | 20 thumbnails/page, 9 thumbnails/page, 1 thumbnail/page |
Audio Recording System
AVCHD | Dolby Digital (5.1ch / 2ch) |
iFrame, MP4 | AAC (2ch) |
Microphone | 5.1ch Surround, Zoom, Focus and Stereo Microphone |
Speaker | Dynamic type |
Still Image Section
Recording Format | JPEG (DCF/Exif2.2) |
Still Image | [16:9] 25.9megapixels (6784 x 3816), 14 megapixels (4992 x 2808), 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080); [3:2] 20 megapixels (5472 x 3648), 10.6 megapixels (3984 x 2656), 2.0 megapixels (1728 x 1152); [4:3] 20.4 megapixels (5216 x 3912), 10.9 megapixels (3808 x 2856), 0.3 megapixels (640 x 480) |
Simultaneous Recording
4K MP4 | [16:9] 20.4 megapixels (6016 x 3384), 8.3 megapixels (3840 x 2160) |
Other than 4K MP4 | [16:9] 14.0 megapixels (4992 x 2808), 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080) |
General Section
Power Supply | 3.6V (Battery) / 5.0V (AC Adaptor) |
Power Consumption | Max. 7.1W (Recording) / Max. 7.7W (Charging) |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | Approx. 65 x 73 x 139 mm (2.559 x 2.874 x 5.472 inch) |
Weight (w/o battery and SD card) | Approx. 351g (0.774 lb) |
LCD Monitor | 3.0-inch Wide LCD monitor (460,800 dots) |
Touch Panel | Yes |
Manual Ring / Dial | Yes (Dial) |
Interface
AV | Yes |
HDMI | Yes (micro) |
Microphone (stereo mini) | Yes |
Headphone (stereo mini) | Yes |
USB | 2.0 Hi-Speed |
USB Charge | Yes |
LED Video Light | Yes |
Accessory Shoe | Yes (cold) |
Lens Cover | Yes (Auto) |
Wi-Fi
Standard | IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
Frequency | 2.4GHz band |
Standard Accessory
AC Adaptor | Yes |
DC Cable | Yes (USB Type) |
Rechargeable Battery Pack | Yes (1,940mAh) |
HDMI Cable | Yes (micro) |
Shoe adaptor | Yes |
Lens Hood | Yes |
USB Cable | Yes |
Editing Software | HD Writer AE 5.3 (Download) |